Handle support for metal cans



Jan. 10, 1967 w. E. HlDDING 3,297,195

HANDLE SUPPORT FOR METAL CANS Filed Sept. 9, 1963 Z 36 F 40 5 5 50 jzwum I l A/ZOw INVENTOR.

United States Patent Ofiice Patented Jan. 10, 1967 3,297,195 HANDLESUPPORT FUR METAL CANS Walter E. Hidding, Blaelrhawit Plastic Mf (10.,589 Commercial Road, Addison, Ill. 601M Fiied Sept. 9, 1963, Ser. No.307,527

4 Claims. (Cl. 220--94) This invention relates generally to thepackaging arts and especially to handle devices to be assembled tocontainers for use in carrying such containers and in manipulating thesame during pouring therefrom.

In the past, both rigid handles and pivotal wire bails have beencommonly attached to metal cans having a capacity of a half gallon ormore. The rigid handles, while extremely useful from the consumersstandpoint, have effectively prevented stacking of the containers. Thisfactor has led to unpopularity with both shippers and retailers. On theother hand, pivotal wire bails may be swung so as to lie closely againstthe container and accordingly have increased the stackability of thecontainers; but the ears or flanges by which such a bail is attached tothe container tend to interfere with stacking of the containers; andwhen these ears are mounted in the top of the container, the bottom ofthe container must be correspondingly recessed to achieve full stackingcapabilities.

Therefore, an important object of the present invention is to provide ahandle device which presents a flat profile when assembled to acontainer.

A more general object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedhandle device for assembly to a container whereby to facilitate carryingthe container and pouring therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a handle device whichnormally assumes a position parallel with and hugging the top of acontainer to which it is attached.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a handle device whichaffords a safe, comfortable grip.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a handle devicehaving a non-corrosive mounting to a container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a handle deviceincorporating a leakproof mounting to a container.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a handle devicehaving a mounting for use in positively attaching the same to acontainer.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become moreapparent from a consideration of the following descriptions.

A handle device in accord with the invention includes a generallyU-shaped handle having a central portion and coplanar end portions. Thehandle device also includes mountings at each of the end portions of thehandle for cooperation with attachment sites formed in the top of acontainer to which the handle device is to be assembled. Each of thesemountings includes both a tubular, radially resilient bushing having atapered central bore and a tapered plug wedgedly insertable in the borefor expanding the same into sealing engagement with the edges of a holefashioned in the top of the container to define an attachment site.

In order that the principles of the invention may be readily understood,two embodiments thereof, but to which the application is not to berestricted, are shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an oblong metal con tainer having ahandle device constructed in compliance with the invention assembledtherewith, the handle device being illustrated in carrying condition;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the assembled container andhandle device of FIG. 1, showing the handle device in its normalposition parallel with and closely hugging the top of the container;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view taken substantially along theline 33 of FIG. 2, the carrying and can-manipulating position of thehandle being illustrated in broken outline;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view taken substantially along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 3 to show the cooperation between the tubular bushing and thetapered plug of a mounting used in attaching the handle device to thecontainer;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 4 but illustrating thetubular bushing and the tapered plug in disassembled condition;

FIG. 6 is a view of the arrangement of FIG. 5 illustrating the taperedplug partially assembled to the tubular bushing;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 6 but illustrating amodified embodiment of the mounting of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the arrangement of FIG. 7 illustrating theassembled condition of the plug and bushing.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2,a handle device indicated generally by the numeral 10 is seen to beassembled with an oblong metal can 12 of the type customarily used inpackaging automotive anti-freeze. The can 12 includes a body 14 and alid or cover 16, the cover 16 having a central filling port which isclosed by a crimp-type cap 18. In addition, the cover 16 is secured tothe body 14 by means of a conventional double seam 20; and in use, thecover 16 s punctured with a venthole in a corner region 22 and is cutopen with a pouring aperture at a diagonally opposite corner region 24.

The handle device 10 includes a generally U-shaped handle 26 whichcomprises a grippable central portion 28 and legs or end portions 30.The handle device 10 additionally includes a mounting or attachmentfitting 32 at the terminus of each of the end portions 39, the mountlugs32 cooperating with attachment sites provided in the can cover 16 inaffixing the handle device 10 to the can. With reference to FIG. 3, thecan cover 16 is seen to be fashioned with spaced attachment sitesdefined by circular holes 34; and the mountings 32 include bushings 36that are each provided with a peripheral groove or reduced diameterportion 38 intermediate its ends for receiving the edges of a hole 34.With reference to FIG. 4, the bushing 36 is seen to be a tubular memberhaving a tapermg, upwardly converging bore 40.

Each of the mountings 32 also includes a tapered plug 42 which isintended to be wedgedly inserted in the bore 40 to expand the same intosealing engagement with the edges of the hole 34. In addition, themounting 32 comprises plug retention means acting between the bushing 36and the plug 42 to hold the plug in wedged engagement with the bushing;and in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the plug retention means is aresilient ring formation 44 fashioned on the bushing 36 at the insidesurface of the large end of the bore 40 therein.

The components of the handle 26 and the components of the attachmentfittings 32 are advantageously fabricated from a tough, resilient,chemically inert material which may be worked to a smooth, relativelysoft surface. When the various components are so fabricated, the bushing36 and the plug 42 are resistant to the action of chemically activematerials packaged in the can 12; and furthermore, no galvanic corrosioncan develop between the parts of the can 12 and the parts of the handledevice 10. Moreover, the central portion 28 of the handle 26 may thusafford a safe, comfortable grip.

When the handle device is fabricated from such a material, the handle 26is desirably arranged with the end portions 30 thereof secured laterallyto the mountings 32 as is shown in FIG. 2, thus disposing the handle 26normally in a position parallel with the top of the container and inclosely hugging relationship therewith. So disposed, the handle devicepresents a flat profile having a very shallow projection above the topsurface of the cover 16 as is shown in FIG. 3, this projection beingless than the vertical projection of the cap 18 and substantially nogreater than the projection of the double seam 20. Thus, the handledevice 10 facilitates stacking of a number of the cans 12. When it isdesired to use the handle device 10 for carrying the can 12 or forpouring the contents therefrom, it is only necessary to grasp thecentral portion 28 of the handle 26 and lift the same into the positionshown in FIG. 1. Advantageously, weakened sections 46 are provided inthe end portions 30 of the handle 26 adjacent the mountings 32, theweakened sections 46 defining a hinge axis and facilitating rotation ofthe handle 26 from its normal position hugging the cover 16 to theupright position that is associated with carrying and pouring. It is tobe realized that the toughness and resiliency of the material from whichthe handle 26 is fabricated serves to return the same to its depressedposition closely parallel to the cover 16 when the handle is released.The handle may also be molded with a convex curvature throughout or onlyat the hinge axis in order to insure the handle 26 snugly fitting thecover 16 when it has been released.

The desired toughness, resiliency, inertness and surface properties areprovided in the handle device 10 by fabricating the same from apolyolefinic resinous material such as polyethylene; and in addition tothe features and functions described hereinabove, fabrication of thevarious components of the handle device from a tough, resilient materialpromotes a tightly wedged fit between the plug 42 and the bushing of amounting 32.

Assembly of a handle device 10 to a can 12 having a cover 16 perforatedwith apertures 34 will become .more apparent from a consideration ofFIGS. 5, 6 and 4 taken in that order. First, the bushing 36 is assembledto the cover 16, the bushing being forced through the hole 34 until theedges of the hole reside in the groove 38; and advantageously, theportion of the bushing 36 which is to be forced through the hole 34 issomewhat smaller than the upper portion of the bushing which residesabove the surface of the cover 16 whereby to facilitate this assem bly.Next, the tapered plug 42 is forced into the tapered bore 40, the ringformation 44 expanding radially to pass the plug 42 as is shown in FIG.6. When the plug 42 has passed completely through the ring formation 44,the ring formation returns to its normal condition and acts to resistaxial movement of the plug in the general direction out of the bushing36, as is shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, this latter action of the ringformation 44 preserves the wedged engagement between the plug and thebushing so as to preserve concomitantly the sealing engagement betweenthe bushing and the edges of the hole 34 in the can cover 16.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been thus far shownand described, it should be understood, of course, that the invention isnot strictly limited :hereto since many rnpdjfications may be made.Therethe annular flange 52.

4 fore, and in order to enhance the understanding of the invention, amodified embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Thismodified embodiment incorporates certain elements which are similar tothose found in the embodiment of FIGS. l-6; and accordingly, likenumerals have been used to designate like parts, the suffix letter abeing employed to distinguish those elements associated with theembodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the modifications are concernedprimarily with the mounting or attachment fitting 32a and moreparticularly with the manner of providing retention of the plug 42a inthe bushing 36a. Before turning to a more detailed consideration of theplug and mounting arrangement of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, itshould be noted that the bore 40a is substantially cylindrical ratherthan being tapered and is fashioned with a conical undercut 48 at theend which is adapted for entrance of the plug 42a.

The particular plug retention arrangement provided in the embodiment ofFIGS. 7 and 8 includes a counterbore 50 which is fashioned in thebushing 36a at the upper end thereof, In addition, both the bushing andthe plug are made of a thermoplastic material, the plug 42a beingspecifically provided with an annular heat-expansible flange 52 disposedat the upper end of the plug 42a. So fabricated and arranged, the upperend of the plug 42a may be heated to soften the flange 52 so that thesame may be flowed radially outwardly to form a head 54 that spreadsover the shoulder between the walls of counterbore 59 and the walls ofbore 400 whereby to lock the plug 42a in the bushing 36a after havingbeen wedgedly inserted therein. An annular fusion joint 56 isadvantageously created between the head 54 and the bushing 36asimultaneously with the creation of the head 54 from This fusion joint56 creates a liquid and vapor seal as well as enhancing the plugretention characteristics of the head 54.

The specific examples herein shown and described are to be considered asbeing primarily illustrative. Various changes beyond those describedwill, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art; and such changes areto be understood as forming a part of this invention insofar as theyfall Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A handle device for assembly to a container having a top with spacedattachment holes, said handle device comprising: a generally U-shapedflexible handle of polymeric material including a grippahle centralportion and end portions secured to said central portion; and mountingmeans at each of the end portions of said handle for cooperation withsaid attachment holes in assembling said handle device to saidcontainer, including a tubular, radially resilient bushing integrallyconnected directly to the terminus of the corresponding end portion andhaving a central bore and a reduced diameter, medially disposedperipheral portion for receiving the edges of a said hole, said mountingmeans aslo including a plug wedgedly insertable in said bore forexpanding the same into sea-ling engagement with the edges of said hole,said plug being connected exclusively to the remainder of said handledevice by engagement with said bushing and said handle being molded tosaid bushings to be disposed normally laterally thereof and to beflexibly raised to carrying position.

2. A handle device for essembly to a container having a top with spacedattachment holes, said handle device comprising: a generally U-shaped,flexible handle of polymeric material including a grippable centralportion and end portions secured to said central portion; and mountingmeans at each of the end portions of said handle for cooperation withsaid attachment holes in assembling said handle device to saidcontainer, including a tubular, radially resilient bushing integrallyconnected directly to the terminus of the corresponding end portion andhaving a central bore and a reduced diameter,

medially disposed peripheral portion for receiving the edges of a saidhole, said mounting means also including a plug wedgedly inserta'ble insaid bore for expanding the same into sealing engagement with the edgesof a said hole, said plug being connected exclusively to the remainderof said handle device by engagement with said bushing and said handlebeing molded to said bushings to be disposed normally laterally thereofand to be flexibly raised to carrying position, and plug retention meansacting between said 'bushing and said .plug to hold said plug in wedgedengagement with said bushing.

3. A handle device according to claim 2 wherein said bushing is ofthermoplastic material and wherein said plug retention means comprises acounterbore in said bushing and a heat-expansible flange on said plugadapted to be heated and flowed radially outwardly of said plug to forma head disposed in said counterbore with a fusion joint therebetween.

4. A handle device according to claim 2, wherein said plug retentionmeans comprises a resilient ring formation on said bushing at the insidesurface of the lower end of the bore therein, said ring formationexpanding radially to pass said plug and acting to resist axial movementof said plug out of said bushing when said plug has passed through saidring formation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 398,234 2/1889Cleary 220-94 2,083,956 6/1937 Lang 220-24.5 2,086,489 7/1937 Bowersox16-125 2,194,233 3/1940 Renka 215-48 2,895,654 7/1956 Rieke 220-942,937,834 5/1960 Orenick et al. -40 3,042,271 7/ 1962 Winstead.

3,044,105 7/1962 Wigemark 16-125 3,056,852 10/1962 Sachs 85-40 3,113,69312/1963 Stul-l 220-38.5 3,119,541 1/1964 Lynn 220-94 3,127,064 3/ 1964Fairchild 220-38.5 3,142,088 7/1964 Cravath 16-125 LOUIS G. MANCENE,Primary Examiner.

THERON E. CONDON, Examiner.

R. H. SCHWARTZ, Assistant Examiner.

1. A HANDLE DEVICE FOR ASSEMBLY TO A CONTAINER HAVING A TOP WITH SPACEDATTACHMENT HOLES, SAID HANDLE DEVICE COMPRISING: A GENERALLY U-SHAPEDFLEXIBLE HANDLE OF POLYMERIC MATERIAL INCLUDING A GRIPPABLE CENTRALPORTION AND END PORTIONS SECURED TO SAID CENTRAL PORTION; AND MOUNTINGMEANS AT EACH OF THE END PORTIONS OF SAID HANDLE FOR COOPERATION WITHSAID ATTACHMENT HOLES IN ASSEMBLING SAID HANDLE DEVICE TO SAIDCONTAINER, INCLUDING A TUBULAR, RADIALLY RESILIENT BUSHING INTEGRALLYCONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE TERMINUS OF THE CORRESPONDING END PORTION ANDHAVING A CENTRAL BORE AND A REDUCED